Through-the-bottom boat leveler construction

ABSTRACT

A through-the-bottom boat-leveling construction incorporating stabilizing tabs for pivotal mounting to and beneath the bottom of a boat, cylinder units including fluid actuated spring return pistons mountable within a boat for extension of the piston rods through the bottom thereof for operative pivotal connection with the tabs, an electric hydraulic control system operatively connectable with the cylinder units and mountable in a boat, and a leak containing casing abut each cylinder unit.

United States Patent 4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 ll4/66.5 1363b 1/22 Field ofSearch 114/665 P; 92/130 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,347,841 5/1944 Parker 1 14/665 Inventor Frank '1. Kercheval 530 North Hills Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63 121 Appl, No. 810,468

Filed Mar. 26, 1969 Patented June 29. 1971 THROUGH-THE-BOTTOM BOAT LEVELER CONSTRUCTION 3,113,490 12/1963 Weaver 92/130 X 3,159,131 12/1964 Frederick. 114/665 3,463,109 8/1969 Weiler..,....... 114/66.5 3,468,278 9/1969 Kercheval 1 14/665 Primary Examiner-Andrew 1-1. Farrell Attorney-Kingsland, Rogers, Ezell, lEilers & Robbins ABSTRACT: A through-the -bottom boat-leveling construction incorporating stabilizing tabs for pivotal mounting to and beneath the bottom of a boat, cylinder units including fluid ac- .tuated spring return pistons mountable within a boat for extension of the piston rods through the bottom thereof for operative pivotal connection with the tabs, an electric hydraulic control system operatively connectable with the cylinder units and mountable in a boat, and a leak containing casing abut each cylinder unit.

THROUGH-THE-BOTTOM BOAT LEVELER CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to boating, and more particularly to a novel electric hydraulic controlled boat leveler construction in which the tabs are adapted for mounting to and beneath the bottom of a boat and the operating pistons extend through the bottom thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has long existed the need in modern pleasure craft and speed boat constructions for an adequate beneath the boat leveling tab construction. Leveling tabs available and in use today are mounted in position to extend rearwardly of the boat to provide an extension, in effect, for controlling the riding position of the boat. Such trailing tabs are highly effective in achieving their objectives, but for some circumstances in the use of boats, problems arise. For example, in fishing, lines become entangled in the trailing tabs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present novel boat leveler construction comprises a pair of substantially rigid tabs of stabilizers which are adapted to be pivotally secured to the bottom of a boat in position beneath it. Cylinder units are provided for mounting in a boatincluding fluid-actuated spring-returned pistons, the rods of which extend through the bottom of the boat into operative connection with the tabs. An electric hydraulic control system is provided operatively connected to the cylinder units. ,A safety cylinder is provided around each of the cylinder units.

Hence, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric hydraulic controlled and actuated boat leveler construction which fulfills the above-stated long existing need in modern boating. Other objects are to provide such a boat leveler construction which can be readily installed upon a motor boat in a short period of time, which is adaptive for original and accessory equipment, which requires a small space within the boat for the operating pans, which is of rugged construction adapted for functioning over long periods of time with minimal maintenance, which incorporates safety factors against water leakage, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic layout of an electrical hydraulic system for controlling the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a cylinder unit forming part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view ofa securing nut;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diametric cross-sectional view taken through the cylinder unit of FIG. 2, some parts being inelevation and broken away for illustration of detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross'sectional view taken on substantially the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the rear end of a boat showing stabilizing tabs mounted therebeneath in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the tab in an operative position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 10-l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 11-11 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view ofa stabilizing tab.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 20 indicates generally a cylinder unit forming part of the present invention, which includes a cylinder 22 having external threads 24, a lower flange 26, a hose attachment nip ple 28 and a preset pressure relief safety valve of the ball and spring type 30 at the top, and internal threads 32 which preferably start a predetermined distance above the bottom of the cylinder 22. Within the cylinder 22 is a piston 34 having annular grooves 36 receiving O-rings 38. Integral with the piston 34 is a piston rod 40 within which is a metal reinforcing rod 42. The lower end of the piston rod 40 is flattened and includes an aperture 44. Preferably, the cylinder 22 and the integral piston and piston rod, exclusive of the metal rod 42, are of filled nylon material designated Nylatron GS, and the like. Surrounding the rod 40 is a heavy stainless steel spring 46 engaging a washer 48 at the top end and a threaded plug 50 at the lower end. A 30--60 pound spring has been satisfactorily used. The rod 40 extends through an aperture 52 in the plug 50, a loose fit therebetween being provided for a purpose described below. A hex nut 53 engages the treads 24 in the installed position of FIG. 8, sealing against a gasket 55, or the like. 1

Tabs 54 are provided for mounting to and beneath a bottom 56 of a boat 58. Each tab 54 includes a plate 60 of greater width than depth and a narrow mounting plate 62, each of which includes integral alternating hinge segments 64 and 66, respectively, threaded by a hinge pin 68, as is clear from FIGS. 8 and I2. Suitable screws 70 mount the plate 62 to the bottom 56. A recess 72 for each tab 54 is provided in the bottom 56, particularly when the present structure is new equipment on a boat, but the recesses 72 may be omitted. A U-bracket 74 is secured to each plate 60 by two bolts '76 and two self-locking nuts 78, or other suitable means, the legs of the bracket 74 having aligned apertures near the free ends adapted for alignment with the aperture 44 at the lower end of the rod 40. A pin preferably of Nylatron GS is forced through the aforesaid aligned apertures and remains in position. Since there is a loose fit between the piston rod 40 and the plug 50, a compensating slot is not necessary to accommodate arcuate movement of the pin 80. However, this arrangement of a slot can be used if a tight water proof fit is desired between the rod 40 and the plug 50.

It is clear from FIGS. 4, 8 and 9 that the U-bracket 74 moves up into the space in the cylinder 22 below the plug 50 when the plate 60 is in the position of FIG. 8.

Surrounding each cylinder unit 20 is an enlarged casing or cylinder 86 which is secured to the inner surface of the bottom 56 by suitable screws 88. A sealing gasket 90 is employed to insure against leakage. A cap 92 may threadedly engage the upper end of the cylinder 86. A split clamped-on cap may be used. The top of the cylinder 86 is several inches above the expected maximum waterline of the boat, but a cap insures against water forced above this line by the speed of the boat from overflowing into the boat.

An electric hydraulic control system is provided for selectively actuating the two cylinder units 20. It is to be understood, of course, that a number other than two cylinder units 20 may be employed, as in a large boat which may require two or more for each tab. In brief, the control system 100 includes a l2-volt high-speed enclosed motor 102, a highspeed gear rotor driven pump 104 operatively connected to the motor 102, producing up to five hundred pounds of pressure, or whatever is required to actuate readily the tabs 54. An oil reservoir 106 is mounted above the pump 104. Type A transmission oil is being used. To one side of the pump 104 is a T-fitting 108 which connects the pump 104 with electric solenoid check valves I10 and 112, respectively, each of which controls the flow of fluid to and return from each of the two cylinder piston units 20, as is clear from FIG. 1. A switch unit 114 includes two switches 116 and 118 of the momentary onoff type, each of which is biased to a neutral central position when not held in on or off positions. The switch unit 114 is connected to the solenoids 110, 112. Suitable wiring connects the switch unit 114 to the motor 102 and to a battery 120. The motor 102 is grounded by wire 122. The control system 100, which, per se, forms no part of the present invention, is described in greater detail in applicant's US. Pat. No. 3,326,164.

It is readily appreciated from the foregoing that the tabs 54 are electrohydraulically actuated into selected operative positions independently, or separately, by the control system 100. Once positioned, the tabs 54 are maintained in selected positions by the electric solenoid check valves 110, 112, which retain fluid in the fluid lines and in the top of the cylinders 22 above the pistons 34. When it is desired to return the tabs 54 to the inoperative position, the switches 116 and 118 are moved to off positions, whereupon the solenoids 110, 112 are deenergized and the heavy compression springs 46 move the pistons 34 to upper positions raising the tabs 54 to the positions of FIGS. 6 and 8. Fluid is returned to the reservoir 106.

It is apparent that there has been provided a novel through the bottom boat leveler construction which fulfills the objects and advantages sought.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in the form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a boat including a bottom and an opening therethrough, a ride-leveling structure including at least a leveling tab pivotally mounted to and beneath the bottom, at least a cylinder unit mounted in the boat in position above the tab and including a piston rod extending through said opening of the bottom and operatively connected to the tab, means for effecting movement of said piston rod to selectively move the tab into and out of an operative position, a piston operatively integrated with said piston rod, a cylinder operatively housing said piston including a lower external out wardly extending flange and external threads on the lower portion thereof, said cylinder extending upwardly through said bottom opening with the external flange thereof engaging the outer surface of the bottom, and internally threaded means engaging said external threads on the lower portion of the cylinder operatively drawing said external flange firmly against said bottom maintaining said cylinder unit in operative position.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said external flange is in watertight sealing relation with said bottom.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which said external flange is countersunk in said bottom providing a flat bottom surface and increasing rigidity in mounting of said cylinder.

4. The combination of claim 1 and including a water-retaining housing surrounding said cylinder unit and sealingly secured to said bottom, said housing being of a height greater than the anticipated maximum waterline of the boat. 

1. In combination with a boat including a bottom and an opening therethrough, a ride-leveling structure including at least a leveling tab pivotally mounted to and beneath the bottom, at least a cylinder unit mounted in the boat in position above the tab and including a piston rod extending through said opening of the bottom and operatively connected to the tab, means for effecting movement of said piston rod to selectively move the tab into and out of an operative position, a piston operatively integrated with said piston rod, a cylinder operatively housing said piston including a lower external outwardly extending flange and external threads on the lower portion thereof, said cylinder extending upwardly through said bottom opening with the external flange thereof engaging the outer surface of the bottom, and internally threaded means engaging said external threads on the lower portion of the cylinder operatively drawing said external flange firmly against said bottom maintaining said cylinder unit in operative position.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which said external flange is in watertight sealing relation with said bottom.
 3. The combination of claim 1 in which said external flange is countersunk in said bottom providing a flat bottom surface and increasing rigidity in mounting of said cylinder.
 4. The combination of claim 1 and including a water-retaining housinG surrounding said cylinder unit and sealingly secured to said bottom, said housing being of a height greater than the anticipated maximum waterline of the boat. 